A new survey has launched inviting people to share their experiences of drug-related crime in their communities to shape future prevention and enforcement action.
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen will be scrutinising the force’s progress on tackling drug dealing and drug-related crime at a new Public Accountability Meeting (PAM) on October 26th and is inviting residents and businesses to lead the conversation by voicing their concerns and personal experiences.
Drug crime and substance misuse remain priorities in the PCC’s Police, Crime and Justice Plan as they drive much of the crime, anti-social behaviour and violence experienced by communities.
Previous surveys undertaken by the PCC have shown more than half of residents identify tackling drug-related crime as one of their top three concerns.
The PCC has built her plan around a prevention-first approach, investing significant funding into tackling and understanding the root causes of offending and ensuring treatment and recovery services are accessible and effective to break the criminal cycle and reduce the number of future victims.
Alongside supporting robust enforcement against those who profit through drugs and exploit the vulnerable, the PCC continues to fund pioneering projects aimed at protecting more young people from being drawn into drug criminality, ensuring agencies work collaboratively to change lives and make a difference.
The new survey asks people to rate the seriousness of drug-related crime in their local area and what concerns them most about this activity whether it is associated violence, drug litter or paraphernalia, county lines activity, exploitation of children or vulnerable adults, burglary, theft or shoplifting or other issues.
Residents are also asked whether they have noticed any signs of drug-dealing in their neighbourhoods such as frequent visitors to a property at unusual times and whether they have reported such activity to the police.
Further questions relate to their satisfaction levels if they did report concerns to the police and what would make them more likely or less likely to report drug-related activity to the police in future.
The survey’s findings will be used by the Commissioner to pose questions to the Chief Constable and senior officers at the meeting as part of her responsibility to hold the force to account on behalf of the public and will also influence wider discussions with partners and the Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership.
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “Drug-related crime has a devastating impact on our communities and is often linked to offences such as domestic abuse, violence, dangerous driving and theft.
“Beyond the harm caused by crime itself, drugs fuel the exploitation of vulnerable people and make residents feel less safe in their neighbourhoods. That is why I have made it a priority to build safer, stronger communities through a balanced approach that combines tough enforcement with prevention, treatment and recovery support.
“However, there is always more we can do. Residents are often the first to spot the signs of drug-related activity, and their experiences are vital in helping us understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
“Please share your views openly and honestly. By listening to community concerns, understanding barriers to reporting and identifying gaps in support services, we can ensure future action is targeted, effective and responsive to local needs. Together, we can reduce harm, protect vulnerable people and make our communities safer for everyone.”
Alongside advocating for ‘drug testing on arrest’ programmes to open pathways to treatment, the PCC has previously invested in peer-led services providing support by those with lived-experience of addiction to enhance recovery.
She continues to push for stronger use of community sentences for offenders who need support to overcome dependencies and is pressing nationally for better resettlement packages for prison leavers to rehabilitate drug users and prevent reoffending.
The Commissioner’s PAM programme provides a platform to fulfil her responsibility to hold the Chief Constable and force to account on the progress made against her Police, Crime and Justice Plan priorities.
To complete the survey visit: https://bit.ly/PAM-26-10. The consultation will close at 23.59 on October 1st 2026.
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